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GOA - TEMPLES

Most of the Hindu temples of interest are close to Ponda, on the inland route between Panaji and Margao. The Shiva temple of Shri Mangesh is at Priol-Ponda Taluka, about 22 Km from Panaji. The tiny temple with its white tower, a local landmark, is on top of a small hill. Only a Km further down the road is Shri Mahalsa, a Vishnu temple.

About 5 Km from Ponda are Shri Ramnath and Shri Mahalakshmi, and nearby is the Shri Shantadurga temple. Dedicated to Shantadurga, the goddess of peace, it has a strange, almost pagoda like tower in the temple compound.

Shri Bhagavati - 28 Km in Pernem. The Temple, situated by the side of the main road, is said to be more than 500 years old. Two life size images of elephants in standing position made of black stone, on either side at the entrance welcome visitiors. The Goddess Bhagavati Ashtabhuja in a standing position on a high pedestal is very imposing. The Dussehra is celebrated with gaiety from Ashvin Shuddha Pratipada to Poornima, when over 25 thousand devotees assemble at the temple.

Shri Ramnath - 33 km in Ponda Taluka. Besides the shrine of the main Ramnath deity it has four small temples of Shri Laxminarayan, Shri Shantadurga (Sateri), Shri Betal and Shri Sidhanath. The five together, constitute Shri Ramnath Panchayatan. The legend in mythology says that Rameshwar is the original abode of Lord Ramnath.

Shri Mahalsa - At Mardol, 1 km from Shri Manguesh Temple. The deity worshipped is an attribute of Vishnu (Mohini during the fight between Devas and (Asuras). Main festivals - Zatra (February) and Navartra.

Shri Saunsthan Goudpadachrya Kavle Math-This Math is brilliant heritage of God Saraswat Smarth Community with branches all over India. This Math situated at Kavalem, in Ponda Taluka is named after historic seer and exponent of the Adwaita system of Vedanta.

Besides these, a list, of temples in Goa can be made including Shri Gomanteshwar Devasthan at Brahmapuri, Shri Kamakshi Sausthan at Shiroda, Temple of Shri Mahadeva at Tambdi Surla, Shri Navdurga at Madkai, Sapteshwar-Bhagvati Temple at Mandrem, Shri Shantadurga - Kavlem and many more. Though influenced by the style of Maratha temple architecture coz portugese were initially on good terms with local Hindus & the nearby Vijayanagar kingdom. Also to some extent influence of Islamic & Christian elements, styles in these temples have been synthesized to produce a purely distinctive idiom of Hindu architecture. Several temples have Islamic domes, while the plan of the structure is often similar to Christian architectural patterns.